Iraqi security forces mark Sovereignty Day as US forces leave

Iraqi security officers flash victory signs during a parade celebrating the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, in Baghdad, Iraq, September 30, 2026. Photo: Hadi Mizban/AP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi security forces held large military parades on Wednesday to mark ‘Sovereignty Day,’ a national holiday that signifies the withdrawal of US and international coalition forces from Iraq. The celebrations follow the expiration of the international coalition’s mission against ISIS on September 30, 2026. This event marks the conclusion of over two decades of foreign military involvement that began with the invasion in 2003. The Iraqi government has announced a four-day national holiday from September 30 to October 3, 2026, known as sovereignty days. Security forces and convoys carrying national flags paraded across major cities, flashing victory signs to commemorate the formal transfer of complete security authority to state institutions. While foreign combat forces are completely withdrawn and bases totally evacuated, the US-Iraq relationship moves to a traditional bilateral security and intelligence collaboration centered on counter-terrorism. While authorities and pro-Iran political forces celebrated the pullout as a victory for independence, some locals and analysts have voiced worries about potential security gaps, which might strengthen local militias or spark a comeback of ISIS remnants.